Coin-sorting machine



'Feb. 17. 1925; a 1,526,762 c. SCHWARTZ com 5011mm MACHINE Filed; May s, 1923 s Sheets-Sheet 1 c wdm Feb. 17.1925/ Y 1,526,762

C. SCHWARTZ COIN. SORT ING MACHINE Filed May 5, 1923 v 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 17. 1925;

J 1,526,762 C. SCHWARTZ I com SORTING MACHINE Fi edma 5, 1923 6 Sheets-Sheet s Feb. 17. 19.25.

1,526,762 C. SCHWARTZ COIN SORIING MACHNE Filed May a, 1925 s Sheets-Sheet 4 Feb. 17. 19.25;

. C. SCHWARTZ COIN SORTING MACHINE Filed May 3 1923 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 gem Feb. 17. 1925. 1,526,762

c. SCHWARTZ COIN SORTING MACHINE Filed May 5, 1925 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Patented F b. 17, 1925.

v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CARL SCHWARTZ, F SHEBO YGAN FALLS, WISCONSIN.

COIN-SOR'IING MACHINE.

Application filed Kay 3, 1923. Serial No. 636,299.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CARL SCHWARTZ, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Sheboygan Falls, in the county of Sheboygan and State of Wisconsin, have in vented certain new and useful Improvements in Coin-SortingMachines; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full,

. clear, and exact description thereof.

" sorting machine which will automatically separate coins although two or more may be firmly stuck together, which will notpass a bent coin into the machine, and in which the parts are so timed and associated that one coin at a time'will be Withdrawn from the hopper and passed to the appropriate coin receiving portion of the machine. Further objects are to provide a coin sorting machine which is rapid in operation, which has a comparatively small number of parts, which is simple in design, and which is of sturdy and substantial construction and free from delicate and fragile parts.

An embodiment of the] invention shown in the accompanying drawing, in which; I

Figure 1 is a transverse vertical section through the .machine corresponding substantially to the line 1-1 of Figure 2.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the machine, such figure being partly in section to show the lower portion of the mechanism. Figure 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure2.

Figure 4 is a sectional view' on the line 4-4 of Figure 2 with portions broken away.

Fi e 5 is a bottom plan view of the machine partly broken away.

' Figure 6 is a face view of the hopper with certain portions thereof broken away and with others in section to illustrate the interior construction.

Figure 7 is a detail of the coin chute and fingers for temporarily retaining a coin at an intermediate portion of the machine between the receivlng hopper and the distributor.

Figure 8 is a sectional view on the line 8-8 of Figure 7 The machine comprises a base 1 upon which is mounted a motor 2, such motor driving a longitudinally extending drive shaft 3 by a reduction gear hereinafter described, the outer end of which is carried in a bearing 4 carried by a bracket 5. This bracket extends upwardlyand-furnishes a support 6 for the shank 7 of a stationary hopper 8. The hopper is preferably held in its correct position by means of a screw 9 joining the base portion 10 of the hopper with 2. lug 11 of the bracket 5. The hopper, as will be noted from Figures 1, 3, and 4, is mounted in an angular position and is provided with a cylindrically arranged tapered marginal portion. The base 10 of the hopper is provided with an annular recess 12 within which a notched member 13 is revolubly mounted, the stem 14 of such member passing through the shank 7 of the hopper and being rigidly attached adjacent its, lowerend by means of a key and bolt, as shown, to a helical gear 15, such gear meshing with a helical pinion 16 carried upon the drive shaft 3.

The base 10 of the hopper is provided with an annular flat surface 17. A disc 18 is secured to the member 13 and is provided with a plurality of roughly circular recesses 19 in its peripheral portion, as may be seen from Figure 6, such notched peripheral portion being in sliding engagement with the annular surface 17 of the hopper, as may be seen from Figures 1 and 6. These notches or recesses 19 are of a size capable of takin a half dollar, but not large enough to ta e two dimes. They are slightly greater than a half circle. If the circle were continued it would be approximately tangent to the inner surface of the cylindrical margin, as shown 1n imaginary lines in Figure 6. This construct on prevents the possibility of the flat seating of more than one coin in one of the recesses.

It will be seen from the description thus far given that as the drive shaft is rotated the disc 18 is rotated at a slower rate of speed and that it will gather coins in its notched portions 19. The disc is of a thickness roughly corresponding to that of a dime and is not of such thickness as will carry the'two coins when the coins are laid flat upon the surface 17. It frequently happens that the coins do not lie flat but stand up against the cylindrical portion of-the' hopper. Therefore, means are provided to throw the coins over until their plane is approximately parallel to that of the disc 18. The means can conveniently consist of an inwardly directed, relatively narrow plate 20 which is carried by a bracket, 21 (see Figures 1 and 6) such bracket being mount ed upon a reciprocally carried rod 22 and normally held in its innermost position by means of a spring 23. This red is adapted to travel upon the peripheral surface of the member 13, such member being provided with notcheswhich have an abrupt leading face 24 and an inclined trailing face 25, the member 13 forming in effect a cam cooperating with the rod 22 to impart a sudden inward motion to the plate 20 and thereby throw the coins down fiat against the plate 18. It sometimes happens that one coin will lie fiat within the end of the notchesor cut-outs 19 and another coin will be held thereby and will project upwardly in a slanting direction. To prevent this a spring pressed pawl 26 is pivotally carried by the hopper, as may be seen from Figure 6, and projects inwardly through a slot in the cylindrical wall. It engages the upwardly slanting extra coin and removes it from the notch or recess within which it has inadvertently lodged.

It is also found that the coins are frequently sticky and sometimes two or more coins are firmly stuck together and are passed as one coin, the bottom coin being carried Within the recessed portion 19. However, the extra coin is readily removed by a rotary member 27 (see Figures 1 and 6) which is provided with a rubber periph eral portion 28 adapted to engage the face of the coins and to rotate them in the notches 19 as they pass under the rotary member 27. This spins the pair of coins about their central axis and loosens the extra coin from that carried within the notch and throws it to the lower portion of the hopper.

A convenient way of positioning and operating the rotary member 27 is illustrated in the drawings, and it will be see-n that such member is mounted upon a relatively long shaft 29 carried in a corresponding bearing 30 supported from the hopper and terminates in a driven pulley 31. This pulley is connected by means of a belt 32 with a pulley 33 mounted upon the motor shaft and is adapted to impart a rapid rotary motion to the member 28.

It will be noted, also, in connection with the member 27 that a bent coin is readily dislodged from the notches 19 by this member so that jamming of the machine is prevented.

As the member 18 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 6, it brings the coins in a separated or single state to a slot 34 formed in the base 10' of the hopper (see Figure 4). This slot is provided with a beveled surface 34 sothat the coin may freely ride down into the slot without falling crossways thereof. It is to be noted particularly from Figures 1 and 6 that a guard plate 35 is provided just past the rotary member 27 and over the slot 34 so as to prevent any dislodged or flying coins from inadvertently fallinglinto the slot out of their regular turn.

A horizontally converging chute is provided beneath the slot 34 and comprises a back-plate 36 and a front plate 37 (see Figures 4, 7, and 8). Its forward plate 37 is provided with a cut-out portion 38 into which two fingers 39 extend; such fingers being integral with the forward plate, as may be clearly seen from Figures 7 and 8. Notches 40 are formed in these stationary fingers and receive inwardly turned portions 41 of the cam follower 41, such cam follower being pivotally mounted upon the plate 37. The projecting portions 41 bear against resilient leaf springs 42 which are mounted inwardly of the fingers 39 and bear thereagainst when not depressed inwardly by the portions 41 of the cam follower. This cam follower is adapted to be held inwardly by the enlarged portions 43 (see Figure 4) of a cam mounted upon a longitudinally extending shaft 44 driven from the drive shaft 3 by a reduction gear 7 train, hereinafter to be described.

Adjacent the cams 43 a plurality of fibre members 45 are secured and are adapted to pass through the cut-out portion 38 of the front-plate 37 of the chute. In the form shown, three of these members are provided and are adapted to bearranged upon opposite sides of the stationary fingers 39 and between such fingers, as may be seen from.

Figure 2. These members 45 are provided with outwardly projecting portions 46 adapted to engage the upper portion of a coin within the" chute and to urge such coin downwardly. At this time the reduced portion 47 of the cams release the cam foilower 41 and allow the springs 42 to move outwardly, thereby releasing the coin. It will be seen, therefore, that a positive drive for each individual coin has been provided and that gravity alone is not depended upon for the proper and certain feeding of the coins downwardly from the chutes.

The timing of the shaft 44 with reference to the shaft 3, and consequently with reference to the'notched disc 18, is secured by means of the gear train comprising a pinion 48 secured upon the motor shaft, a

received in the chute is gear 49 secured upon-the shaft 3 and mesh ing with such motor pinion, a gear 50 se' cured upon the shaft 3, and a pinion 51 secured upon the shaft 44. as may be seen from Figure 2. The timing issuch that for each coin discharged by one of the notched portions 19, one revolution of the shaft 44 occurs. Consequently, a single coin positively discharged therefrom. A third longitudinal shaft 52 is provided with a pinion '53 which meshes with the gear 50 and properlytimes the rotation of" a worm 54 carried by the outer end ofsuch shaft 52. This worm in turn meshes withworm teeth 55 carried by an upwardly extending hub portion 56 of a distributcr. This distributor comprises the hub, previously described, and a series of outwardly projecting'fingers or paddle-like members 57, which are spaced apart to provide slots 58 completely through the distributor.

This distributor, it will be seen from Fig ures 1 and -2, constitutes, in effect, anannular ring and it is to be noted that the fingers or blades 57 are provided with vertlcal margins 59 and with tapered or bev-, eled lower margins 60. The inner surface of the hub 56 is cylindrical and, is held in I position by means of alcircular block 61 secured to the bed-plate -1. The "timing of the distributor is such'that a slot 58 passes beneath the lower end of the chute at the instant that coin is discharged therefrom.

vIn order to facilitate the entrance of a coin into the slots, such slots arerprovided with rear beveled and 4.) y

An annular guide ring is provided which surrounds the distributor and comprises an upwardly extending cylindrical portion 63 and a beveled lower portion 64 cooperating with the vertical portion 59 and the beveled portions 60 respectively of the blades 57. This guide ring cooperates with the hub 56 of the distributor and at its lowermost edge portions- 62 (see Figures 2 forms a space between itself and the hub which corresponds roughly to the diameter of adime, such lower edge being indicated in Figure 2 byythe reference character 64'. Beyond this position in reference to the directiomof travel of thedistributor, porti onsof. the: guide ring are cut-out, as indlcated at65', 66, 67, and 68, to provide correspondingly uncreased spaces or. ,steps I which .in tur-n correspond roughly to the diameters"of a=penny, a nickel, a quarter, and a. half a-ldbllan, The bed-plate 1 (see Figures 2 .;and 5;) is similarily cut-out to provide 'a-qfree' passage-way forjthese coins at these different locations. Suitable chutes.

. one of which is indicated at 69, are provided,

one chute-being provided for each of the difierent cut-out portions of-the guide ring.

The operation of themachine is as folvolves the coins are singly arranged in the pockets 19 and are separated from any adhering or angularly positioned coins, or bent coins. by the pawl 26 and rotary member 27, as previously described. These single coins are dropped into the chute and pass into the slots 58. They are carried, while standing iupon end, along the distributing ring and rest upon the face 64 thereof. As the coins are brought to the diflerent cutout portions of the ring, the appropriate coin falls through the cut-out portion and through the-bed-plate 1 and into its corresponding chute.

It is well-known that considerable wear occurs between worms and worm teeth and provisiomhas been made for taking up this wear by "carrying the shaft 52 within a U-shaped bracket,one of whose arms 70 is clamped about an extension of the bearing 4 (see Figure 2) and the other of whose arms 'is clamped about an extension. 71 of the bearing for the drive shaft 3 (see Figure 3) such la tter bearing being carried by a, bradret 72 bolted to the bed-plate 1, a somewhat similar bracket member 73 being provided for the elongated bearing 74 of v the shaft 44; (see Figures 3 and 2).

It will be seen that acoin sorting machine has been provided ill Which coins may be received without any preliminary arrangement, and which will not 1' am due to adhering coins or to bent coins. 7

It will further be seen that a coin sorting machine has been provided in which the coins are singly handled in a rapid succession and are positively fed intoa distributor where they are freely and rapidly sorted into their different denominations.

Although one form of the invention has been described in considerable f: detail, it is to be understood that the invention may be variously embodied and is to be limited only asset forth in the appended claims; a

I claim:

g 1. A coin sorting machine comprising a hopper for receiving coins, a chute extending downwardly therefrom, means for feeding said coins from said hopper singl into said chute, coin controlling resilient gers for temporarily retaining a coin within said chute, means for positively discharging such coin from'said chute, and a distributor and sorting mechanism adapted to be fed from said chute. I

2. A coin sorting machine comprising a hopper adapted to receive coins and having from said chute within the slots, and a guide ring having progressively increasing cutout portions for allowing the coins to fall therethrough in accordance with their denominations.

3. In a coin sortingmachine, the combination of a receiving hopper for coins,

' means for discharging the coins from said hopper, a chute for temporarily holding and for conveying said coins, and a distributor for receiving said coins from said chute said chute comprising a pair of resilient fingers adapted to engage a coin within said chute, a cam associated. with said chute and adapted to operate said fingers, and a wiping means adapted to engage said coin when-said fingers are released by said cam to po sitively I force said coin from said chute as said wiper rotates.

4. A chute for a coin sorting machine, said chute comprising a cut-out face, a plurality of wipers adapted to pass through said cutouts and to engage a coin within said chute to positively force it therefrom, spring fingers for temporarily retaining saidcoln within said chute, and cam members for operating said spring fingers, whereby they may be retracted from saidcom.

5.-A coin sorting machine comprislng a hopperhaving a bottom and adapted to receive coins, a rotary notched disc contacting with said bottom and adapted to receive a coin in each of its notches, a rotary disc at right angles to said notched disc and having its peripheral portion arranged in close proximity to the upper. surface of said notched disc and adapted to dislodge adhering coins, said bottom having a slot through which the coinsmay pass from the notches in saiddisc, a chute leading from said slot, and distributing and sorting mechanism fed from said chute.

6; A coin sorting machine comprising a I hopper having a flat bottom and a cylindrical wall, a notched disc revolubly mounted within said hopper and adapted to receive coins in said notches, said bottom having a slot therethrough, and cam actu-' member projecting through said cylindrical wall ad acent the lower portion of said hopper and adapted to reciprocate across the face of said disc, a spring urglng said member inwardly, and cam means for moving said member outwardly and havmg abrupt faces 'to permit said member to move inwardly witha quick motion.

.In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand at Milwaukee,

in the county of Milwaukee and State of ,Wisconsin.

CARL SCHWARTZ. 

